Hot, expensive cars

Caption10. Maserati Quattroporte

handout

The Quattroporte holds the No. 10 spot on the list because it was one of the first near-$100,000 cars to really sell in significant quantities, leading other automakers to believe they could get away with attaching six-figure price tags to fancy cars. It's still one of the most inexpensive...

The Quattroporte holds the No. 10 spot on the list because it was one of the first near-$100,000 cars to really sell in significant quantities, leading other automakers to believe they could get away with attaching six-figure price tags to fancy cars. It's still one of the most inexpensive... (handout)

Lamborghinis may only be alluring to teenage boys and adults who haven't progressed beyond the Peter Pan syndrome, but they're still brutish and powerful, and they look like nothing else. At $175,000 for the hardtop and $195,000 for the roadster, the Gallardo stretches the $200,000 budget....

Lamborghinis may only be alluring to teenage boys and adults who haven't progressed beyond the Peter Pan syndrome, but they're still brutish and powerful, and they look like nothing else. At $175,000 for the hardtop and $195,000 for the roadster, the Gallardo stretches the $200,000 budget.... (Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)

Its style might not be for everyone, but the M6 convertible hits 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. That means it'll only take a minute to dry your hair after you leave the beach. Of course, we wouldn't recommend tracking sand in a new, $104,900, V-10-powered BMW, unless your detailer is on speed dial...

Its style might not be for everyone, but the M6 convertible hits 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. That means it'll only take a minute to dry your hair after you leave the beach. Of course, we wouldn't recommend tracking sand in a new, $104,900, V-10-powered BMW, unless your detailer is on speed dial... (handout)

This one almost didn't make the list, but we've seen too many of this $139,900 sedan on the streets and parked in front of fancy restaurants to let it slip out of the top 10. Plus, it has a powerful V-12 engine and a very upscale cabin, complete with mood lighting. That's why it comes in at No....

This one almost didn't make the list, but we've seen too many of this $139,900 sedan on the streets and parked in front of fancy restaurants to let it slip out of the top 10. Plus, it has a powerful V-12 engine and a very upscale cabin, complete with mood lighting. That's why it comes in at No....

Yes, you too can own Ferrari's "entry-level" F430 for under $200,000. It'll probably hold its value -- it starts at $168,005 -- better than most of the cars on this list, but if you're thinking about resale value, you're probably not in the right mindset to hand over that down payment. In fact,...

Yes, you too can own Ferrari's "entry-level" F430 for under $200,000. It'll probably hold its value -- it starts at $168,005 -- better than most of the cars on this list, but if you're thinking about resale value, you're probably not in the right mindset to hand over that down payment. In fact,... (China Photos/Getty Images)

While the average car buyer might scoff at the notion of spending more than $100,000 on a new car, "affordable" exotics are a rapidly growing segment. Much like the proliferation of McMansions, $100,000 cars are often purchased more as stylish status symbols than for their substance, although...